MONKSLAND UNITED 4 CLONMULLION FC 1
Monksland United safely negotiated round three of the 2021/22 FAI Junior Cup when they beat Clonmullion FC at Cushla Park last Sunday afternoon.
Dylan Jinks opened the scoring for the hosts but the County Kildare outfit quickly levelled matters. Two further scores had United in control by half time and a superb David O’Brien free kick late on sealed victory.
United were looking to bounce back from their solitary defeat of the season against Mountmellick but the visitors had the first chance. Darren Harrison’s long range effort almost catching out Cathal Hannon in the home goal. Monksland recovered and Matt Scally fired wide before fellow striker Jinks opened the scoring on five minutes.
United looked dangerous every time they launched an attack and Jinks could easily have claimed a quick-fire hat trick. The number nine screwed a shot wide while a second strike was beaten away by the keeper.
The ‘Mull’ were under pressure but bounced back into contention with the equalising goal after 19 minutes, Ross Cardiff, from the right edge of the penalty area, chipping the ball over Hannon to the net.
It was against the run of play but the home lead was restored after 32 minutes. A low cross from Jinks was turned home from close range for an unfortunate own goal.
Substitute, Cody Mulhall, had a free kick saved with Hannon also denying Jonathan Fennell when the visitors rallied as the half progressed. Monksland made the task in the second half a lot easier with a third score on the stroke of half time. O’Brien’s shot was parried by Stephen Davis but Scally was on hand to tap home from close range.
After an exciting opening half, the second period was an anti-climax. There was always the possibility that the visitors could launch a comeback but the United rear-guard were seldom under pressure.
Harrison had the first chance when firing wide for the visitors. Tony O’Sullivan’s men replied with a corner kick. The hour mark passed without any further excitement with the tie needing an away goal to revive interest.
United eased into the next round with a fourth goal on 77 minutes. It was the goal of the game as O’Brien’s strike from a free kick flew all the way to the net past the helpless keeper. With the tie settled, the hosts looked to add to their goal tally during the closing stages, the best chance of doing so came with 10 minutes remaining but Jinks volleyed over after being set up by Brian Francis.
Oisin McAuley was also off target while replacement keeper Mick Lawless pulled off two good saves to deny home substitutes Les Browne and John Duffy. The last United chance came in stoppage time but Lawless was again in top form when he blocked a shot from O’Brien.
The visitors had the last positive piece of the action but wasted a late corner kick, Monksland progressing to the fourth round with ease as their fine run in knockout football continues.
